Hi,
I have (almost) been diagnosed with COPD - emphysema has been mentioned. This is the result of tightness in chest, increased breathlessness, and a chest xray which shows hyperinflation of the lungs . I also have a sore pain in the left side of my chest, and I have had this for a long time.
The doctor said that any COPD is likely to be mild, which is reassuring. However, I do get very breathless, I have had these symptoms for years (a chest xray was done and lost about three years ago) and they have got worse over time, and I feel sort of full most of the time.
I had hoped the Dr would do a spirometer test to see what stage this COPD was at, but this has not been mentioned yet.
I am a bit worried because in many sources (and I know we should not trawl the Internet for information) hyperinflation occurs at a later stage of COPD (possibly stage 2) because the lungs can no longer empty themselves fully.
I do not want to pester the Dr, but I am worried that the symptoms are not being taken seriously, and my breathlessness and the pain are not been 'treated'.
Am I just overthinking things?
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Hi, to put it simply , your doctor cannot diagnose you with COPD without a spirometry test, it is impossible. Unless of course he is that good he can tell that your breathing is obstructed ( the ''O'' in COPD) just by looking at you. Given that he clearly doesn't know the correct procedure for diagnosing a common condition I probably wouldn't put him in the ''good'' category.It would be like diagnosing somebody with Diabetes without running all the tests, it simply wouldn't happen.I would insist that you get a spirometry test and let him know you are aware that he shouldn't be diagnosing you without one. Good luck.
Spirometry tests are not being done at the moment. That is why you have only been almost diagnosed.
I've had recent lung function tests at my local hospital, even during covid. Sadly my gp surgery is very poor. It seems a lot of gps are using covid as an excuse.
Not an excuse. The BMA give guidance for GP's to follow. Please don't blame GP's for following guidance from the British Medical Association.
But joint guidance from the BMA and RCGP on practice workload prioritisation in place since January lists spirometry as a ‘red’-rated procedure, meaning it can be postponed until the end of the pandemic.
The guidance said the ‘red’ category represents ‘lower priority routine work which could be postponed in the event of a high prevalence of Covid-19 in your patient population, aiming to revisit once the pandemic ends, ensuring recall dates are updated where possible’.
Yes the GP surgeries are all empty except for the staff. My son has been unable to get an appointment for some important medication he can’t be without which he was getting in the USA for the three years he was working there. He spent an hour on the phone in a ‘queue’ only to be told no appointments. He went in personally and was told he would receive a call the next day but not even given the courtesy of an approximate time (morning/afternoon). I agree that Covid is being used as an excuse and has little to do with BMA guidelines in many circumstances.
I agree. I hope your son has managed to get his meds.